Blizzard-like conditions were possible along the coast Friday night. Snowfall amounts of 12 to 18 inches were forecast.

"Most computer models are coming together with regard to the track of Friday's storm. The timetable would be Friday into Saturday morning, with the heaviest part of the storm Friday night," Storm Team 5 meteorologist JC Monahan said.

If the storm tracks close to Massachusetts, this is not a scenario we have seen this winter and the forecasts are still preliminary.

During the height of the storm, snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible. Travel may become near impossible at times with considerable blowing and drifting snow.

"There are still many details to work out, as the storm is about 48 hours away. One question is how much mixing may occur at the coast during the storm. Also, how far inland the heaviest bands of snow will be able to reach," Monahan said.

The heaviest part of the storm was forecast to begin after the Friday morning commute, though light snow could begin to fall Friday morning.

A winter storm watch in effect from late Thursday night through Saturday morning for all of Massachusetts.